Can children eat cottage cheese for breakfast: an expert answers. Exclusive

Cottage cheese is a very healthy and tasty product that is rich in proteins, vitamins A, E, P, B2, B6, and B12, and folic acid. The product also contains calcium, iron, sodium, magnesium, copper, zinc, fluorine, and phosphorus. It can be used to prepare many delicious dishes: cheesecakes, casseroles, pies, dumplings, and added to pies.

Experts recommend eating it for everyone who has no contraindications, especially children.

Victoria Stelmakh, founder of the largest Ukrainian-language Facebook group on complementary foods and baby food expert, told FoodOboz exclusively whether children can eat cottage cheese for breakfast.

At what age can children be given cottage cheese?

"Cottage cheese and other fermented milk products are allowed for children from the beginning of the period when they are transitioning to adult food (6 months). It can be a part of a child's diet because it is rich in nutrients (high quality protein, calcium, fats, as well as some B vitamins, selenium, and zinc), but it can be a potentially allergenic food (allergy to cow's milk protein or lactose intolerance)," explains Viktoriia.

What kind of cheese is better for children?

"The best choice for children is low-sodium cottage cheese made from pasteurized milk without additives. It is worth considering cottage cheese as part of the diet – part of the HFD (Harvard Healthy Food Plate)," the expert said.

In addition to the recommended consumption restrictions (quantity, for children of different ages, due to excess sodium), there are a number of other important points when choosing cheese:

• pasteurized
• low sodium content
• without preservatives and all kinds of added sugar
• "full/high-fat" dairy products and cheeses are recommended for use up to two years of age.

Can children eat cheese for breakfast?

"A child can eat cottage cheese for breakfast, but only when it is part of the plate. The bottom line is that the composition of a healthy plate of food for children and adults is: whole grains, proteins, vegetables, and fruits," explained Victoria.

• Sweet cheesecakes (cottage cheese, egg, flour, for airy cheesecakes try rice, grated nuts, fruit/dried fruit/berries).

• Salty cheesecakes (cottage cheese, egg, flour, herbs such as dill, spinach, a little parmesan cheese, basil, and a pinch of mint, and sesame seeds).

• cottage cheese casserole.

• quiche with cheese and red fish and vegetables
• children's ice cream (oatmeal, cottage cheese, coconut cream, fruit to taste)

• lazy dumplings (serve Greek yogurt or sour cream with grated nuts, seeds, and berries).

What goes best with cottage cheese?

"In nature, there are almost no foods that should or should not be consumed by a child at a given time. There is one single rule for children: any product should be part of the plate, and the diet should be varied. Children need nutrients and microelements for their development and health," the expert summarized.